Coin-counting machine.



PATENTBD FEB. 12, 19077.

No. 844,398.y

c. w. JoHNsN. com GOUNTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MALI, 1905.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

@j e l VVTNESSES i?? No. 844,308. g PATENTBD 121313.12, 1907.

Y C. W. JOHNSON.

G01N COUNTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1\[A}3'..1.1 905.l

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

them in a predetermined manner to count j coins of like.' l denomination by measuring UNITE srv/.ariesv uraafENCI? OFFICE. f

.oHARLEs w. JoHNsoN, or LITCHFIELD, ILLINOIS.

v colN-eouan-ING. MACHINE.

vNo.` 844,308.

vSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. l1.a, 1907.

Application filed March 1,-1905. serial No. 247,364.

To all inkom, it may. concern: I Be it known that I, CHARLES W'. JOHN- sON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Litchfield, county of Montgomery, and State of Illinois, have invented a 'new and ,useful Improvement in Coin-Counting Machines,of which the following is a'specification.

`-My invention'A relates to coin-counting machines, and has -for its principal objects to produce amachine Into which coms can be introduced in bulk and whichwill arrange them to measurecoins 'of like denomination in a-receptacle adapted to receive only a redetermined number of coins; to prevent emptyi such receptacle until 1t has' been .entirely A led; to prevent the introductiono 4coins into the receptacle while it is being emptied; to provide a machine with a plurality 'of interchangeable receptacles, each receptacle being constructed to measure "coins of a particular denomination.

My invention consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinationsof parte hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and wherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur, .Figure 1 is a side elevational view ofthe machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional viewon-the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a /transverse 'sectional view onthe line 4Y 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale.

Figs. 6

, and A7 are detail views of the locking mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8 is a detail view; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view,l

vof apart of the discharging mechanism.` Fig.

l() is an enlarged elevational view of the adjusting mechanIsIn for the agitator, and

, Fie. 11 is a ,sectional view on theline 11 11 45 Of the case down to and below the shaft 3. ThusA a hopperis' formedeby the sides ofthe case 1, the reallplate 6., and the' belt A plate 7 is belt 4, terminating i'n a curve 8 short 'of the rear of the case. Below saiddplate is a vsec- 'ond inclined plate 9, extending from the rear ofthe case downwardly and forwardlystopping short of the front j .latel of the case a distance equal to' the thickness' of the largest ycoin to be measured.

The coins are dumped into the hopper in bulk and areto be carried up and dumped onto the 'plate 7 by the belt. The latter is actuated bythe following mechanism: f

Near the front of the machine and between the plates 6 and 7an actuating-shaft 10 is journaled, one end projecting .through the casing. A crank 11 is mounted on the projecting end of the shaft, as well as asprocket 12. Above yand to the rear of said shaftV a counter-shaft 13 is j ournaled in the case and also projects therethrough at one end, the projecting end being provided with two My machine comprises a case or framesprockets 15 and 16. A sprocket-chain 14 connects the sprocket 41'2 on the actuatingshaft. 10 and thesprocket 15 on the countershaft 13. The above-mentioned belt-actuating-shaft also projects through the case and is provided at its projecting end with a sprocket 18,V which is .connected to the sprocket 16 by a sprocket-chain 17. Thus by rotationlof the crank'll the feed-belt 4is driven. Y

The cleats on the belt will catch coins in the hopper and carry them up and dump them on the plate 7. It is desired, however, that only one layer of coins be dumped on the plate at one time. To 4accomplish this purpose, a bar 19, provided with a plurality of spring-fingers 20, is mounted in the' upper part of the case. The bar extends at its ends through Islots in the case. The ends of the bar are round and carryeccentrics 21, carrying handles 22. Guides 23 on the vcase prevent up-and-down movement of the eccentries. Thus when the eccentrics are turned the bar will be raised .andv lowered. v.The handles cooperate with segments 24, which have a notch corres onding to each size of coin which the machine is intended'to count.y

For example, ifjthe machine is intended to els, dimes, quarters, and halves count nic l the segments 24 will. have four notches.

' When the handles engage the notches for the nickels, thefglemer edge of the spring-iingers will be abovntlie belt a distance equal to the thickness offa nickel. The said .fingersk are iro ing forwardly, a bar is arranged back 'off them and below the .bar 19. vNormally'thesprin,f ;-iingersv bear against said bar'25 and are held in a vertical osition.

substantially the order in which they are dumped from the belt 4 and will fall upon the plate 9.' Occasionally, however,A the coins will lodge on top of one another, and to prevent. their passing into the chute yan agitator is provided. i'

The agitator comprises a bar 26, extending across vthe case above theplate Qand rejecting through slots 27 in the sides of t e case, which extend perpendicularly to said plate 9. The ends of the bar are round and carry eccentrics 28which rotate between guides 29 on the ends of the case. Ahandle 30yis secured to each eccentric and moves over segments 31 which are providedwith notches,

with which said handle may engage, there'.

being a notch for each denomination ofcoin which the machine is intended to count. Inside the case, near the ends of the bar,

tubular bearings 32 Aare provided. In said bearings shafts 33 are slidingly mounted and journaled in the case.

I arms 3 9.- prings 40, connected at' their side.

carry a plate 34 on their rear ends. By ma- -nipulating the eccentric 2S said plate 3'4 is usted with respect to the plate 9 so that it will ermit only one layer of coins to ass beneat it. This plate 34 is reciprocatedJ by the followin mechanism:

On the be t-actuating shaft 2 a star-wheell 35 is secured. A rod 36 is slidingly mounted in a bearing 37 on the case immediately in front ofsaid star-wheel and is connected to anarrn 38, mounted ona shaft 38a, which is Said shaft carries arms 39, arranged inside ofi-.the case and near the sides thereof. The shafts 33 of the plate 34 hav'e a' in-and-slot connection withthe sides to the casing and said arms 39, respectively, hold the plate 34 normally in its forward position'andfthe rod 36 in contact with said star-wheel. The teeth of said starwheel are beveled on their advancing sides and 'are terminated abruptly on the otherl Hence the advance of said plate 34V when said rod 36 is engaged by a tooth of said star-wheel will be comparatively grad- ,ual, while its retreat will be abrupt.' This modefgof operation prevents. rclogging under .the late of the agitator.

- T e case is partially closediatithe front by a glass plate 41. .The'case isopen at one side for the insertion vof -a coin-receptacle 42.

AA 'plurality of these receptacles is provided, one vfor each denomination of coin which it is 'desired to count ywith the machine. rThese The coins will'sli eI down the plate '7 in.

nickels.'

lWill he prevented.

- grooves.

plate the front face of which 1s ni illed to form .grooves-separated by ribs43. Theseribs 43 iit up against theglass plate 41, andthus a series of chutes are formed.' These chutesI are proportioned to'receive 'a coin'edgewisev and are deep enough to accommodate apres p determined number of coins? In the case lsho"wn the machine is intended to count nickels., There are ten grooves or chutes and each chute will contain ten nickels; The

chutes 'are closed atthe bottom by a plate 44, *I

which is mounted on a shaft45, lournaled in the casing andI projecting ytherethrough` at F one side, thev promoting end. carrying a smallv j crank 46. QA spring 47, connected at itslends, respectively, to the case and the-crank` 46,.

.holds the' plate normally in suchposition as to close the chutes.

Above the chut-es a bar 48 :is slidingly mounted in a groove in the plate. It is provided with pins 49, projecting forwardly. At one en'd said bar 48 projects through the casf ing and is connecte to an arm 50 on a shaft- 51, journaled on the side ofthe case.- This arm 50 is provided with holes equal in nurnberto the number of the 4denominations ofv coi-ns which the machine is intended to count.. It will he understo'odfthat the chutes will vary in depth with the size of the Acoins to'be/ counted, and hence said bar',48 will be,v car-- ried at a different elevation in the receptacle to v,count dimes than in the one to count The holes in the arm.5 0 are in the proper position'to connect up withthebars IOC 43 of the various receptacles?` At the "rear 4 end of the shaftOa 'second arm 52is mounted, which connects with the vertical rod 53.

`ciprocate and cause Ithe bar 48 to reciprocate in a horizontal plane. Thepins 49 will vthus This rod extends upwardly through bearings`- y IIO agitate'the ,coins as. they appro ach the chutes, 'i

and fthus any possible clogging. at this point Above the chutes a bar 59 ismounted in a groove in thclvpvlate and carrying a series -of y pins '60 'equalin number to the number of p' grooves orI chutes and similarly spaced.

W hen the barf'is iin'its normal position, the i pins register with ythe partitions between the.

A notched. bar'61 is arranged back ofthe plate and in the plane of said bar 59.

'Said bars are connectedby screws 62, which for the chutes.

collar 66 at its inner end.` A spring 67 surrounds said rod and rests between said collar 66 and said eye 64. At its outer end said rod vertical. A lever 71 is pivoted on the case and has a pin-andslot connection with said cam-block and therethrough with the rod 69.

When said lever 71 is actuated, the bars 59v and 61 will be moved longitudinally and the plz te 44 will be rocked on its shaft to open the bottoms of, the chutes. To prevent such opeation before the receptacle is ullhloking members are provide The locking members are bell-crank levers 72, pivoted in ears 7 3 on the rear of the plate of the receptacle. One arm of each of said bell-crank levers is curved and projects through .holes in the `plates and into the chutes or grooves. The front ends ofthe curved arms rest in contact with the glass plate, being held there by the other arm, which isweighted. The locking members Vrest in the notches of said notched bar 61, the

` spring 67 normally holding said bar in such position that the notches therein'will be in registry,v with said locking members. As the coins enter the chutes the lockin members will be tripped and will fall into p ace. The last coin in each chute Will, however, not pass below the respective locking member, but will hold the same out of its respective notch.y When`all the chutes are full, all the locking members will be held out of theirrespective notches. Then by operation of the lever 71 the bars 59 and 61 can be moved longitudinally, so as to bring the pins 60l'on`the bar 59 into registry with the grooves or chutes. Aftermpving suliciently to bring the pins 60 over the center of the grooves or chutes the bars strike the case andare held there. Further movement of the actuating-lever 71 is possible, however, as the spring 67 may be compressed. The cam-block 70 is so located on the rod 69 that up to the time when the rods 59 and 61 strike their stops on the case said block has not engaged the crank 46. Thus the plate 44 cannot be turned until the tops of the grooves or chutes are closed to prevent the admission of coins thereto while the receptacle is being emptied. Uponv furlther movement of the actuating-lever 71 and rod 69 the cam-block70 engages the crank 46 and rocks `the shaft 45, thus opening the bottoms of thechutes and permitting the discharge of the receptacle. When the lever is released and therod is permitted to rise, the

reverse operation occurs. The plate 44 swin s into position to close the bottomsoi the c utes before the rods 59 and 61 move to carry the pins 60 out of registry with the grooves or chutes of the receptacle. f

Below the bottomv of the receptacle is a casting 74, having a slot registering with the chutes or grooves and leading to a ischargeing-spout 75. The casting 74 and the plate 9 are provided with oiset flanges 76 77, respectively. The receptacles iit in front of said flanges and are ressed u ragainst the glass front 41 of the ame anv secured in position by set-screws 78 79.

, Above the chutes the plate of the rece ta# cle `is cut away iiush with the back wal s of the grooves or chutes. Thus when the receptacles are in position inthe case a ortion of the slot through which the receptac es are inserted is left open. To close this opening, a A

closing-piece 80 is pivotally mounted on the plate. A pin 81 engaging the piece 80 pre.- vents any outward movement of the same If desired, this piece can berigidly secured to the plate.

Obviously my device is capable of considerable modification within the scope of my invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the specific construction shown and described.

What Ivclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1. A coin-counting machine comprising a receptacle having a plurality of chambers to receive coins, movable means to prevent the discharge of 'coins from said chambers, and means to prevent the movement of said means until all 'of said chambers are full.

2. A coin-counting machine comprising a receptacle having a plurality of chambers to receive coins, means to prevent the escape of coins from said receptacle, means to actuate said means and locking means 'for said actuat ing means arranged to be thrown out of lock- 4 ing position by the top coins when said chambers are full.

3. A coinfcounting machine comprising a hopper to receive coins in bulk, a receptacle having a plurality of chambers to receive coins, means to' conduct coins from saidliopper to said receptacle, means to prevent the escape of' coins from said receptacle, means to actuate said second-mentioned means and locking means for said actuating means, projecting into said chambers, said locking meansbeing arranged to be thrown out of locking position by the top coins when saidchambers are full. I

4. A coin-,counting machine comprising a receptacle having a plurality oichamberslto receive coins, movable means to prevent the escape of coins from the bottoms of said chambers, movable means to prevent the adv mission of coins to said chambers, and means IOC) vfor operating both of said means arranged to 'prevent the movement oit' said first-mentioned means until said second-mentioned means 1s in position to prevent the admission. of coins to said chambers.

5. A coinfcounting machine comprisinga receptacle'having a lurality of chambers to receive coins, movab e means normally in position to prevent the escape of coins from said chambers, movable means normally out of position, but movable into position, to prevent the admissionoi coins to said chambers, and means for operating both. said means ar ranged to move said first-mentioned means only when said second-mentioned means is in position to prevent the admission of coins to said chambers.

6. A coin-counting machine comprising a hopper to .receive coins in bulk, a belt to carry coins means lto-prevent the passage of more than one layer of coins between it and said belt, a

late to receive coins discharged fromsaid iielt, an adjustable agitator to prevent the passage between it and said plate of Jmore than one layer of coins, a receptacle having a plurality of chambers to receive coins, an agitator near the top o'f said receptacle, an actuating-shaft, and means to operate said belt and said agitators from said shaft.

7. In a coin-counting machine, an adjustable selector-bar, resilient fingers depending from said bar a handle to adjust the bar for the admission of a predetermined coin, and a notched plate to be engaged by sald handle.

"8. In a com-counting mach1ne,the combination with the chutes, of means for closing A the top and bottom of the chutes, means eX- tending normally into the chutes and actuated by the coins to be counted, to prevent the opening of the bottom-closing mea'ns of the chutes before vthe receptacle is full.

9. In a coin-counting machine, the combination with coin-chutes, of means controlled by the coins vpassing through the chutes to close the top and they bottom ot the chutes alternately.

10.` In acoin-counting machine, the combination With coinechut'es', of means con-A trolled by the last of a predetermined number of coins to becounted in the chutes, to close and open the top and bottom of'said chutes alternately.

11. In a coin-counting machine, the combination with coin-chutes and means to close the top and bottom of said chutes, of a lever projecting into `said chutes in the path of the coins to be counted and locking the closing means against movement until the last coin to be counted enters the chute which prevents said lever from again entering the chute lwhereupon the closing vmeans is Jfree tor be actuated to closctho to i oi the chute and open the bottom of the c nte.

l12. In a coin-counting machine, .the comfrom said hopper, yadjustable .named bar, and a bell-crank lever, one arm of j ceases;

binatrion with the lchutes, of a slidable bar mounted near the top of the chutes and provided with projections adapted tol close said chutes, a lever one end of which enters the chute, the other, end being adapted to lock the sliding bar against movement, said lever being operated by the passage of the coins through the chute. y

13. In a coin-,counting machine, the com'- bination with the chutes, cfa movable `bar v'near the top 'of the chutes, projections on said bar adapted to enter and close said chutes, a bell-crank-lever, one arm of Which is normally in the chute in the path of the coins and momentarily displaced by each coin except the last coin counted which holds it out of the chute, and means released by the j bell-crank lever permitting the sliding bar to move. A

14. In a coin-counting machine, the .combination with the chute, of a movable bar near the top of the chute, pins carried by said bar and adapt-od to project into the chute, a movable notched bar connected to the firstwhich engages said bar, the end of said arm projecting in the chute normally but adapted to be projected from the l'chute b T the last coi-n counted whereby .the arm of the lever is held out of engagement with the notched bar, 9 5A thus ermitting 'the said barsto be moved and the pins carried by one of them enter and close the top of the chute.

15.. In a coin-counting machine, the com'- bination of a casing, a coin-compartment 1 oo plate in said casing provided Withaplurality of compartments, means for delivering .the coins to said compartments, 'means for controlling the outlets from said compartments,

a runway-plate above said coin-compartment 1 o 5 plate and means for agitating the coinswhile A they are passing to said compartments on said runway-plate, substantially as set forth.

16. In a coin-counting machine, the combination of a casing, a coin-compartment l lo plate in said casing provided with a plurality of compartments, means for delivering coins tosaid compartments, means for controlling the outlets from said compartmentashiftable A means for closing the inlets to said compa t- 1 15 ments, and means actuated upon by the coins for holding said inlet-controlling'means until all of the compartments are filled, substantially as set forth.

17. In a coin-counting machine, the comvrizo bination oit' a casing, a coin-compartment plate in said casing provided With a plurality ,of compartments, means for controlling the outlets from said compartments, means for delivering the coins to said compartments, a lock-bar provided with pins adapted to con# trol the inlets to said compartments, and means acted upon by the coins adapted to ponliolsaid lock-bar, substantially as :set

ort

2.. with stop-pins, coin-trippedmeans extending bar, substantially as set forth;

.18'. Ina coin-counting machine, the'ycom-lf;

bination of ja casing, a'coinleompartment'gplate in sai'd casing provided.with@vl ,umm-Jy.. Ofcompa'rtmemsf means for 'contro mg the.y

. outlets. from said compartmentaijmeans forfdeliverin'g the soins to said compartments, a:

to be aoted'upon by the coins entering there? into. to cfontrol' the. movement osaid leek l 19; 'In acorn-'counting machine,fthe com- -binationiiof av casing, ja fcoin-eompartment plate yin saidcasing. provided'with a-plurality of ,eompartments a gatev for 'controllingthe outlets from said compartments,means for delivering coins to said vcom `artments, `a lockbar associated ,witlisaidp ate and provided.;` I member in said casing, a gate for controlling intosaid compartments and. adapted' to en'- gage saidlolck-bar, andmeans for first moving said lock-bar to .carry its pins into said eom+l 'binationj of 'afcasing, a" coinfc-ompartment fvmember in'said casing provided with a'pluvralityijof compartments, a traveling coin-delivery member, a frunway* member located-z' beneath said delivery member, andan agtav .tor located above; saldrunway member,@-.s1 -ib,` 3S', .l I .I '21..Y {In a comcountmg' machine, ythe `conibination of a .'casing, a coin-'compartment -partments and;v thereafter tripping .said gate. tofpermit vthe vdischarge of coinsfrom said compartments, substantially as setforth".`

` ,520.- -In' a coin-counting machine, `the comstantiallyvas set'forth. f

member in said easing providedphl lrality of compartments, a 'traveling coinde livery member, a runway member-benefit vsaid coin-compartment.-member, a. recip eatery agitator mounted above 'saidrunwa .as set forth.

member in said casing provided a plurality of compartments, a traveling coin-delivery member, a runway member located beneath said. delivery member," andl an adjuste. 'ably-supported agitator located yabove said4 runway member, substantiallyas set forthlf' f .v 22. In a coin-counting machine'the-*comi bination of a casing,- agjccin-compartment said eem-delivery member and fleadin member,I means whereby said agitator, is a justably supported, and means for impartiii reeiprocatiori tosaid agitator, substantiallyff;A v

23. In acoin-counting'mahme, the. com Lbnationl .ofA a casing, a coin-compartment" the outlets-.from -'the. oompartmentsof saidf' member, a tripv-'arrniitted' to. said gate, lila?, 61o; coin-eontrollejdlo k-bariassociatedwith'said y coinecompartmentL member, a pull-rod con# nected to said lock-bar, and a cam carried by said pull-rod 'arranged to engage said gate'- trip-arm, substantially asset forth. .65V In testimony whereof Ivhave signed my namelto this speciiication, in the presence of two subscribing'witnesses, this 27th day of` February, 1905, at St. Louis,h/Ii'ssouri.-` I

oHAs. W. JoHNsoN. litnesses:l i w FRED EIREISER, J. B. MnGowN; 

